1 John 3:10-23, Living a Life of Love

The doctrinal explanation was in 3:4-9.  Now we have the application of that doctrine.  We see this in v10.  The thing that distinguishes between the children of God (those born of God) and the children of the devil is the practice of righteousness, but especially the love of the children of God for each other.  How do we know that brotherly love is supremely important?  Because Jesus said so, as v11 goes on to say.  He gave the “new command” in John 13:34-35 and told us, by this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.  What could be more clear?!

It's interesting, or perhaps we should say “powerful,” that the second sin recorded in the Bible was the hatred of Cain for his brother.  This hatred has been at the heart of human relationships ever since.  As John points out, Cain hated Abel because Cain’s works were evil and Abel’s were righteous.  Hatred characterizes the children of the devil.  We shouldn’t be surprised at this, as John says: do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you (v13).  Jesus spoke with His Twelve quite a bit on this subject in the Upper Room (John 15:18-16:4). 

But what characterizes the children of God?  It is that they love each other.  Look closely at 3:14. This love we have for each other is not the result of our determination to be loving rather than hateful.  Rather, it is the result of having passed from death to life.  As we saw in the previous post, the change in my life, and yours if you are a follower of Christ, is not something you are manufacturing.  It is the result of the life of Christ, God’s “seed” (v9), being in you. 

Having said that, v16-18 makes it clear that, having been born of God, we are in fact living a life of love.  Christ produces the change, and the change is “manifested” in the children of God (v10).  This love we exhibit is not just words but it is in actions.  Christ is producing in us a love like He exhibited when He laid down His life for us (v16). 

Furthermore, as we live out this life of love, we have confidence as we come into God’s presence (v19-23).  We are not ashamed to come to our Father.  We have an assurance that He will hear and answer our prayers, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight (v22).  Again, do not misunderstand this.  We do these things because we have Christ in us, Christ who is our “eternal life” (1 John 1:1-2).

In summary, who are those who have this confidence?  They are those who let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning (2:24).  Again, whoever abides in Him does not sin (3:6).  It is through this “abiding” or continuing relationship with Christ that we draw from His life.  Again, Jesus said this in the Upper Room when He spoke of the vine and the branches (John 15:1-8).